Manchester United have confirmed football director John Murtough is to leave the club.
Murtough has been at Old Trafford for almost 11 years but his exit was widely expected following Jim Ratcliffe’s acquisition of 27.7 per cent of the club and control of the football operation.
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Ratcliffe has already started making moves at United, snatching Omar Berrada from Manchester City to become the club’s new chief executive while Dan Ashworth and Jason Wilcox are also expected to take up positions once compensation packages are negotiated with their current clubs, Newcastle United and Southampton.
That meant Murtough’s role was all but redundant, rendering today’s announcement a formality.
Ratcliffe said: “We want to thank John for his loyal service over many years, and for his support and integrity during this period of transition.
“He leaves with our best wishes for the future.”
United co-chairman Joel Glazer added: “After 11 years of tireless work for the club, John has mutually agreed with us that now is the right time to step aside and allow the new football leadership structure to be put in place.
“He will always be welcome back at Manchester United as a friend of the club.”
John Murtough is to step down from his position as Football Director of Manchester United and leave the club after almost 11 years in a variety of roles at Carrington.#MUFC
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) April 9, 2024
The departure of Murtough, who joined United in 2013 following spells at Everton and Fulham, won’t be mourned by many Red Devils supporters.
Having worked initially in scouting, he became the club’s head of football development in 2016 before being promoted to football director in 2021.
He was influential in the appointment of Erik ten Hag as coach in 2022 and oversaw huge investment in a playing squad that still looks well short of challenging the likes of Manchester City, Liverpool and Arsenal in the Premier League.
